Day after Saharanpur clash, police arrest 17 for rioting
Police have arrested 17 people on charges of rioting during the birth anniversary celebrations of Rajput king Maharana Pratap in Shabirpur village of Saharanpur. One person was killed and at least 15 others, including a police officer, were injured in the violence.
The brother of the village head is among the accused who have been arrested. Police have lodged an FIR against 10 identified and over a hundred unidentified people and are carrying out raids to arrest them.
SSP Saharanpur Subhash Chandra Dubey said the situation was under control and additional force had been deployed in and around the village to maintain law and order.
Violence broke out on Friday when members of the Thakur community from Shimlana village took out a procession to commemorate the birth anniversary of Maharana Pratap.
When the procession was passing through the predominantly Dalit village of Shabirpur, residents objected to the allegedly raucous celebration, triggering an exchange of heated words.
When the Dalits lodged a com- plaint, the in-charge of Badagaon police station asked the members of the Thakur community to stop playing music.
The altercation led to a clash, with both groups pelting each other with bricks and stones.
A stone fatally hit a 25-year-old Thakur man named Sumit. Enraged over the death, Thakurs from neighbouring villages gathered at Shabirpur and set over two dozen Dalit houses on fire.
SSP SC Dubey and district magistrate NP Singh rushed to the spot with heavy force and dispersed the rioters.
Police carried out raids on Friday night to arrest rioters from both the sides.
Expressing concern over the clash in Saharanpur, BSP president Mayawati on Saturday accused the government of “saffron appeasement”. “After communal riots, caste violence is now disturbing the state. It indicates that improving law and order is not the BJP’s cup of tea,” she said. HTC No, I have not met Shivpal for the past one week. He is returning from Etawah this evening. He has not spoken to me yet about it and may have given a statement after talking to some leaders. I will talk to him. Of course I am. I have slogged to raise the party independently. We had formed the government within 11 months of forming the party. But now people who have not struggled or gone to jail occupy positions. Yes, the developments pain me but I am sure SP and the Yadav family will remain one. I’ve always been of the view that only the weak enter alliances. We might have lost the 2017 elections but remain the strongest opposition party in the state. I disfavoured an alliance with the Congress as I think the SP could have fought the communal forces independently in the 2017 elections. I did not campaign for the party and won all the 11 seats (Laughs) You think positions are in any way important to me? Or does my status in Indian politics depend on positions? I may not be national president of the party but command more respect today. Positions no longer matter to me. (Laughs) Never ever! Shivpal will only do what I want him to do and I will also keep him with me always.